Bookings Closed: Please note that bookings for this Tour have been closed. Please get in touch with us if you'd like to be notified in the event of a seat becoming available due to a cancellation.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

A three-night stay in an ultra-elegant stay in a star hotel

An authentic travel experience with a wide array of historical monuments, statues and other relics to photograph

An exhilarating time walking the historical streets of Hampi and photographing its magnificent ruins

Extensive field assistance and insights into the subjects of photography

A travel-photography masterclass with a professional photographer

Amble down an avenue in a trance, and blink as though you were blinded – not by a beaming sun overhead, but the sweet illusion of sparkling diamonds that were once sold on the streets. In Hampi, listen patiently, for every stone here has a story to tell, and every ruin something to reminisce about.

How is it?

'Hampi' is the anglicized version of the Kannada name 'Hampe' for a place that stands on the banks of the river Tungabhadra as a hauntingly striking testimony to the extravagance for which the Vijayanagara dominion, of which Hampi was the capital, was famed between the 14th and 16th Centuries.

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi will reveal itself as a glorious commemoration of man's ability to make history that can linger until its significance is revered and preserved.

Here, history, mythology, spirituality, art and architecture come together to make you wonder how a place can bear witness to both glorious and ruinous times, and the facets of men of war and peace, all inhabiting the same Earth, even as the confluence of the rivers Tunga and Bhadra adds an element of natural beauty to the dramatic setting.

This Tour will take you to the throbbing veins of a city in which ancientness lingers at every turn of the road and leaves you amazed with its remnants of splendorous days.

Serving as a base to explore the history that sprawls across acres is a hotel which will ensconce you in modern comforts.

What you will see and photograph:

In Hampi, almost everything you see right before your eyes can be captured as poems-in-pixels.

Evocative pictures can be made of the temples, the half-destroyed idols of deathless deities, the sacred pushkaranis, the magnificent mantapas, the hills, and the bird's-eye view of the city from their zeniths.

As the city stupefies you with myriad colours evoking a multitude of emotions, the explorer and the photographer in you might start quibbling over what to behold in sheer surrender and what to capture into a frame through a camera lens.

But perhaps you will want to begin making memories by politely accepting the immense presence of the Virupaksha Temple through the lens of your camera. The temple houses the patron deity of the then Vijayanagara rulers.

The Hampi Bazaar, or the Virupaksha Bazaar, is the street that is located in front of the Virupaksha Temple, and goes all the way to the Matanga Hill. You will see a series of pavilions that were once a part of the prosperous Vijayanagara market, some of which are two-storied and known to have been the abodes of the nobles as well.

The Vittala Temple complex is where you will find the renowned and the ever-mysterious musical pillars. Also, you will be awed by the grandeur of the stone chariot, currently the symbol of Karnataka Tourism, which can be found in this temple complex.

The holy waters of pushkaranis have been diligently reflecting the eastern side of the famous Krishna Temple. While this remains tranquil and still, you can see the varying reflections of the changing hues of the sky overhead.

When a fierce avatar of the otherwise calmingly depicted deity, Vishnu, is sculpted massively enough to overwhelm you with its sheer size and arty assurance, how can you not make a pictorial memory for yourself? We are talking about the Lakshmi Narasimha statue, one of Hampi's vandalised wonders.

Arguably the most charming form of a deity is Lord Ganesha, worshipped as Vighnaharta or the remover of obstacles. One of the statues of Ganesha in Hampi, called Kadalekalu Ganesha, has been given a belly that resembles the Bengal gram (kadalekalu in Kannada). And at the southern foothill of the Hemakuta Hill sits the monolithic Ganesha statue that is called Sasivekalu (mustard seed in Kannada) Ganesha.

The Elephant Stable, which was built to house the royal elephants of Krishnadevaraya's army, will enthral you, and you can also photograph the neighbouring building where the mahouts of the time were known to live.

The Achyutaraya Temple, which houses a form of Vishnu called Tiruvengalanatha, stands as the most sophisticated epitome of the Vijayanagara style of architecture, with one of the market streets in front of it. The temple is usually less crowded due to its location away from the other well-known tourist attractions, offering you a priceless opportunity for photography.

In the secular category of historical structures in Hampi is the Lotus Mahal, also known as Kamal Mahal or Chitragani Mahal, whose geometrical perfection is astounding. The structural style deviates from the rest of the monuments, and although its exact purpose is unknown, the Lotus Mahal is believed to have been a socialising place for women in the royal family.

Hampi is speckled with iconic structures and numerous temples that will take you back in time. And to help you make the most of the photo opportunities, Skipper Neeta Shankar will walk with you at every step. Join her in rediscovering the riverside ruins of Hampi, and carry back the stories hidden between the stones in the pixels of your photographs.

PHOTOGRAPHY SKIPPER

Neeta Shankar

A travel- and wedding-photographer based in Bangalore, Neeta Shankar is the definitive creative artist whose approach to work is one of transcending limitations. Trained for the IT industry but blessed with a delicate eye for the visual arts, Neeta listened to her heart's calling and chose the road less treaded, becoming at a young age one of the most sought-after practitioners of her craft. Her inspirational clarity of vision enables her to pull surreal and fleeting moments out of the stillness amidst chaos, and her passion for training allows her to impart the wealth of her experience.

Neeta has been a speaker at the Bangalore Wedding Meetup 2015, and the Adobe Photography Symposium 2014; and mentor for the Adobe Photography Virtual Series. She has also served on the panel of judges at the Canon PhotoMarathon India 2014, and been featured by several leading newspapers and magazines.

With a flair for eclectic photography-genres ranging from portraiture to architecture and fine-art to landscapes, young Rajiv Shyamsundar uses the camera as a palette of myriad hues. His work is distinctive and committed to pulling out that hitherto-unseen visual from the depths of his imagination to paint vivid images on a canvas of vibrant pixels, especially with his favourite genre of event photography.

Endowed with acute technical acumen partly also because of his engineering background, Rajiv is an information powerhouse, which, combined with his monumental patience and a ready, smiling enthusiasm to instruct, educate and assist, makes him an ideal trainer for those who'd like to learn and embibe in their work the sparkling qualities of his inspirational imagery.

WHY GO ON A TOEHOLD PHOTO TOUR?

At Toehold, we are passionate about photography just as you are, which lets us understand your travails and needs perfectly. And we use this insight to specially design our Photography Tours so they give you a toehold to excel at the art and set you up for success.

The Toehold team at your disposal will keep you tuned and geared, so you come in empty-handed but go out with bagful of images and tales of an experience that is better lived than heard.

Specifically, you will get -

A clinically organized tour with utmost attention to your comfort and needs

An open, informal environment that promotes interactive learning

A team that will strategize and work to a plan to optimize opportunities and ensure a great tour

Practical, hands-on assistance in photography from the tour Skippers both in the field and off it

A wealth of subject matter knowledge

Individual interaction with the Skippers over general or specific issues

First-hand learning from the masters in the art and craft of photography

That's not all. When you're not out in the field using the camera, you will learn and enjoy our sessions on photography techniques, photograph reviews and presentations and discussions on topics relevant to the Photo Tour in question.

These exclusive, informative and interactive sessions are -

ChaayaaChitra (Photography Techniques, Tips, Tricks) - One of your Toehold Skippers will impart key practical knowledge on photography technique, post-processing essentials and related subjects and even the skills and techniques required for a particular form of photography or at a particular locale. This offers a great chance of understanding key aspects of technique and pick up useful tips that you can easily put into practice. We call this ChaayaChitra because it's all about photography.

ChitraTantra (Photo Principles, Reviews, Critique) - Your Toehold Skippers will critique images that can be nominated by tour participants, to enable discussion on how they could be improved. These impromptu discussions benefit everybody, since they are a great way of learning to see the advanced subtleties that make a significant difference, and master the artistic aspects of photography. We call this ChitraTantra as we delve deep into the good and not-so-good aspects of your results and discuss the attributes that can turn an ordinary picture into a special image.

Charchaaloka (Presentations, Lectures, Discussions) - One of your Toehold Skippers will deliver a talk on a subject of interest related to the tour/destination or novel sub-genres of photography. Depending on the kind of tour you are on, this presentation/talk should improve your subject matter expertise and enable you with ample knowledge of your subject, destination or form of photography you are expected to practice during this trip. This is akin to a surprise treasure-chest of fascinating knowledge on intriguing topics that will make your Photo Tour experience complete. We call this Charchaaloka as we expect everyone to participate in the discussion and presentation brainstorming ideas, issues, solutions and experiences.

Please click on any thumbnail and use the left and right arrow keys to navigate between photos in the gallery.

Please note: The Tour begins in Hampi at lunchtime on 29 September 2016, and ends in Hampi after breakfast on 2 October 2016. Transport between Bangalore and Hampi will be arranged in shared cabs at extra cost.

DAY 1 29 September 2016, Thursday: Departure from Bangalore

We will drive from Bangalore and arrive at the lodge in Hampi for check-in and lunch, after which we get to know one another better and receive a brief orientation from the Skipper about the region we are about to explore and what to expect over the following days.

We will then see and photograph the renowned statues of Lakshmi Narasimha and Badavi Linga, followed by the Krishna Temple, Sasivekalu Ganesha, and Kadalekalu Ganesha.

The next stop is the sunset point at the Hemakuta Hill. After beholding the sunset in all its exquisiteness, we will go back to the hotel and enjoy a ChaayaaChitra

ChaayaaChitra: Photography Techniques, Tips, Tricks

session from the Skipper, before having a scrumptious supper and calling it a night.

Making a very early start in the morning, we will explore the hill and the temples present in the vicinity, and get back to the hotel for breakfast. Following this, another enjoyable and educative session, ChitraTantra

ChitraTantra: Photo Principles, Reviews, Critique

, will help you incorporate into your photography by having your photos reviewed by the Skipper, before you pamper your taste buds with a delicious lunch.

After a hearty meal, we will set out to visit the magnificent Vittala temple and the gorgeous Kalyani, and then go to the Purandhara Mantapa, just in time for sunset.

In the morning, we will visit the famous Virupaksha temple and explore its surroundings, before returning to the hotel for breakfast and enjoying another interactive session called Charchaaloka

Charchaaloka: Presentations, Lectures, Discussions

.

After lunch, we will watch and photograph Queen's Bath, Mahanavami Dibba, Pushkarini, Lotus Mahal, Elephant stables, Hazara Rama Temple, and Underground Shiva Temple, after which you will return to the hotel for dinner and a good night's sleep.

DAY 4 2 October, Sunday: Climbing Matanga or the Anjanadri Hill for Sunrise; Return to Bangalore

Depending on the weather conditions, we will witness yet another splendid sunrise from atop the Matanga Hill or the Anjanadri Hill. Having had a nice time in the hills, we will go back to the hotel for breakfast and leave for Bangalore.

Individuals
INR 24,700/-

Per Person on Twin Share Accommodation

Couples
INR 47,900/-

Per Couple on Twin Share Accommodation

Toehold Patrons
INR 23,700/-

Per Person on Twin Share Accommodation

Toehold Patrons: Customers who have participated in at least three previous Toehold Photo Tours

Foreign Nationals: Please write to us for a quote.

Inclusions

Twin-sharing accommodation

All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and hot beverages (coffee and tea)

Camera fees if any (participants will be advised of the estimated fees in advance)

Anything that is not expressly listed under inclusions

Payment Terms

100% advance on confirmation of participation for the Tour

Cancellation Fees

10% on or before 25 August 2016

25% between 26 August and 1 September 2016

50% between 2 and 8 September 2016

75% between 9 and 15 September 2016

100% on or after 16 September 2016

Please note: The date of written (email) communication of intent to cancel is the date considered for calculation of the cancellation fees.

Terms and Conditions

Participants who have a medical history of blood pressure, heart-related problems or asthma are advised to seek medical advice before enrolling for this Tour.

Fitness to complete the Tour is the only criterion for participation.

Toehold Travel & Photography Pvt Ltd. shall not be responsible for injuries, damages, or losses caused to any traveller in connection with terrorist activities, social or labour unrest, mechanical or construction failures or difficulties, diseases, local laws, climatic conditions, abnormal conditions or developments, or any other actions, omissions, or conditions outside the travel partner's control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should participate in this Tour? Are there any eligibility criteria?

Anybody interested in travel, heritage and archaeological photography, and is above the age of 18 (unless accompanied by an adult) can participate in this Tour. There are no eligibility criteria.

I am a newbie in photography. Am I eligible?

Absolutely! This Tour is meant for fledgling as well as experienced photographers. Beginners
get all the advantages of learning on and off the field from Toehold's eminent Skippers. In fact if you are a newbie, you should jump on this terrific learning opportunity and sign up right away! However, to make the most of the Tour photographically, we suggest you be familiar with at least the basics of photography. If you aren't, we strongly recommend that you sign up for a Basics of Photography Workshop first.

I am not into photography at all. Do you suggest I participate?

Most certainly! Although the Tour has been optimized for photography, non-photographers are equally welcome as the Tour offers a wealth of opportunities to understand and appreciate the bygone times and the celebrated history of the Vijayanagara kingdom, of which Hampi was the capital.

By what mode will we get around on this Tour?

While we will use motorized transport to get to the premises from the hotel and back, most or all of the photography will be done on foot. For this reason, at least a minimum fitness level is required.

How different are your Photo Tours from ordinary tours?

Unlike travel agents who plan your holiday from a remote destination to places they sometimes haven't experienced themselves, Photo Tours offer a comprehensive toehold to experience a place through the guidance of a professional photographer. The common ingredients in all our Tours are fun and a lot of learning and knowledge sharing. Besides, most or all of our Tour participants are photography enthusiasts, which keeps the group in harmony and helps make your experience focussed.

What equipment do you suggest on this Tour?

Considering the nature of the subjects and shooting conditions expected on this Tour, lenses in the range of 10 mm to 200 mm are suitable. We also recommend the ultra-wide angle and wide angle lenses to maximise photo opportunities. Circular polarising and graduated neutral density filters are highly recommended. Tripods are not allowed inside temple premises, so we suggest that you don't carry them to where the ruins are.

What do I do if I do not have the requisite equipment?

If you do not have appropriate equipment, there is no need to fret. Toehold offers an exhaustive array of cameras and lenses for hire, so you can always hire what you need. Click here to see what we offer. What's better, you enjoy a 10% discount on all equipment hired for our Photo Tours!